News Photo by Kayla Wikaryasz On Wednesday, Firefighter Brett Ciupka sprays water from a fire hose behind the Public Safety Building in Alpena.

ALPENA — As community members prepare for the last holiday weekend of the summer, the Alpena Fire Department and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourage residents to be safe while enjoying festivities.

Alpena Fire Chief Rob Edmonds said the department wants community members to enjoy the holiday while being safe and mindful.

“We obviously try to encourage people to make good choices,” Edmonds said.

Edmonds explained that residents should enjoy camping and attend campfires to celebrate the end of summer, but they should do so safely.

“Attend campfires, but don’t leave them unattended,” Edmonds said.

The Michigan DNR also recommends that Michigan residents enjoy the holiday festivities, but to “put fire safety first,” according to a DNR press release, which said residents in the northern Lower Peninsula should take extra care as there are still downed trees and branches in the region left over from the March ice storm.

“There are still a lot of downed trees and branches in the area as the result of the ice storm last March,” DNR fire prevention specialist, Paul Rogers, said in the press release. “That wood is drying out, and that does increase the risk of a wildfire.”

The DNR says residents should check weather conditions before burning leaves or yard waste. If a fire gets out of hand, the DNR says to call 911 immediately.

Before burning natural materials, Michigan residents should visit Michigan.gov/BurnPermit to check weather conditions, according to the DNR.

When burning, the DNR suggests keeping a hose, or other water sources, nearby. The department also suggests keeping trailer chains from dragging on the road to prevent sparks that can land on dry grass.

For campfires, the DNR states that campfires should be contained in a pit or a fire ring. Individuals should pour water over the fire, stir the ashes, and then pour more water over the ashes.

According to the DNR, it is illegal to burn plastic, hazardous materials, foam, or other household trash. Burning these materials can release dangerous chemicals in the area. To protect the community, the DNR encourages Michigan residents to follow this law.

Residents who want to burn paper, leaves, and natural materials, should do so in a burn barrel with a screen on top, according to the DNR.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.